Despite groundwork completed and the original tender for construction called, the replacement of the Green Bay Health Centre fell victim to the province’s poor fiscal situation.
During this past year’s provincial budget, the town was informed the project would be put on indefinite hold, according to the mayor. He said council was told to expect a delay of a couple of years.
“That was a bit disappointing at the time,” Tizzard said.
Groundwork for Phase 1 of the project was completed in an area off Little Bay Road. An access road was created, and the work done includes water and sewer infrastructure. Design work of the new acute and long-term healthcare complex was also ongoing in 2015.
The tender for construction was delayed that year, but expectations continued that construction would begin before year’s end. It would not come to be.
By the beginning of 2016, the tender had come in at $3 million over budget, and was to be re-issued with refined tender requirements in hopes of reducing the cost.
The new hospital remains a high priority for the town, according to the mayor.
“It’s the top priority, really,” he said. “We keep reminding our MHA (Brian Warr) that it needs to be put back on the table.”
Tizzard said there appears to be no immediate issues with the current facility, other than it is an aging building that needs to be updated. Replacing the old cottage hospital would be an upgrade for the town and a morale boost to the health care providers, he said.
It has been clear the new facility would not bring any additional services, but it is just as important there is no reduction, he said.
“If we can maintain what we have, rather than having an aging population travelling to Grand Falls (Windsor) or Corner Brook to get blood work or something like that done, was our position,” he said. “We knew from Day 1 there would never be any more surgeries done in Springdale.”
The Department of Health and Community Services could not meet this week’s print deadline with a response, but is expected to provide an update soon.Despite groundwork completed and the original tender for construction called, the replacement of the Green Bay Health Centre fell victim to the province’s poor fiscal situation.
During this past year’s provincial budget, the town was informed the project would be put on indefinite hold, according to the mayor. He said council was told to expect a delay of a couple of years.
“That was a bit disappointing at the time,” Tizzard said.
Groundwork for Phase 1 of the project was completed in an area off Little Bay Road. An access road was created, and the work done includes water and sewer infrastructure. Design work of the new acute and long-term healthcare complex was also ongoing in 2015.
The tender for construction was delayed that year, but expectations continued that construction would begin before year’s end. It would not come to be.
By the beginning of 2016, the tender had come in at $3 million over budget, and was to be re-issued with refined tender requirements in hopes of reducing the cost.
The new hospital remains a high priority for the town, according to the mayor.
“It’s the top priority, really,” he said. “We keep reminding our MHA (Brian Warr) that it needs to be put back on the table.”
Tizzard said there appears to be no immediate issues with the current facility, other than it is an aging building that needs to be updated. Replacing the old cottage hospital would be an upgrade for the town and a morale boost to the health care providers, he said.
It has been clear the new facility would not bring any additional services, but it is just as important there is no reduction, he said.
“If we can maintain what we have, rather than having an aging population travelling to Grand Falls (Windsor) or Corner Brook to get blood work or something like that done, was our position,” he said. “We knew from Day 1 there would never be any more surgeries done in Springdale.”
The Department of Health and Community Services could not meet this week’s print deadline with a response, but is expected to provide an update soon.
